August 16, 2011

ESPN's Kessenich previews 2012 MLL Draft

ESPN analyst and former Johns Hopkins All-American goalkeeper Quint Kessenich has been intently following the current Major League Lacrosse season as it unfolds.

But Kessenich has also been keeping an eye on the upcoming senior class, which will make up the incoming rookie class for next summer’s MLL campaign. With that in mind, Kessenich, writing for Inside Lacrosse, listed his top 10 players in the MLL Draft, which is scheduled to take place on Jan. 13 in Philadelphia.

At the top of the list is Cornell attackman Rob Pannell, a Tewaaraton Award finalist and the reigning United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Player of the Year who led the nation in points per game (5.2).

Kessenich put Virginia attackman Steele Stanwick at No. 2. Stanwick, a Baltimore native and Loyola graduate, paced the Cavaliers to the national championship en route to being named the Tewaaraton Award winner.

Duke defenseman Mike Manley sits at No. 3 despite missing last season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Kessenich has Princeton goalie Tyler Fiorito at No. 4. The Phoenix native and McDonogh graduate ranked second in the country in save percentage and eighth in goals-against average.

Denver attackman Mark Matthews is at No. 5. The Offensive Player of the Year for the Eastern College Athletic Conference, Matthews became the school’s all-time leader in points with 152.